[Publib] Other ALA Council Resolutions that I am surprised no one is talking about

[Diedre Conkling]

At ALA Council I we passed the ALA Resolution on the Instructional Classification of School Librarians.  I can only find the 1/13/06 version of the resolution at this moment.  Sorry about that.

I think was a significant piece that will affect us in every state.  There is a very organized and well funded group bringing the 65% Solution to every state.  They hope to have it passed in every state by the end of 2008.  For more information go to:
American Libraries Online:  http://www.ala.org/al_onlineTemplate.cfm?Section=alonline&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=111470

First Class Education:  http://www.firstclasseducation.org/

One Man's Way to Better Schools by George Wills:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38726-2005Apr8.html

School Librarians Riled Over '65 Percent Solution'
Laura B. Weiss -- 1/13/2006:  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6299508.html

'65 cent solution' takes on ed establishment
By Kavan Peterson, Stateline.org Staff Writer :  http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=63787

'65% solution' aims to dissolve class-size rule



St. Petersburg Times



January 13, 2006 
ALA Resolution on the Instructional Classification of School Librarians 
 
Whereas, School libraries are classrooms in which students and teachers learn - 
where they read, utilize print, nonprint, and technology resources, and learn to 
efficiently, effectively, and ethically use information for projects and reports 
with the goal of developing lifelong learning and literacy skills and 
strategies; and 
 
Whereas, Multiple research studies, more than 60 since 1965, have affirmed that 
there is a clear link between school library media programs staffed by 
state-certified school librarians and increased student achievement (Library 
Research Services Web site at http://www.lrs.org/impact.asp ); and 
 
Whereas, School librarians are recognized by the National Board for Professional 
Teaching Standards (NBPTS) as teachers whose teaching can be measured to meet 
standards for professional teaching excellence; and 
 
Whereas, School librarians are teachers who serve as critical partners in 
ensuring that states and school districts meet the reading requirements that are 
part of No Child Left Behind (P.L. 107-110); and 
 
Whereas, In Part B, Subpart 1, Section 1208 of No Child Left Behind (P.L. 
107-110), Instructional Staff is defined as "principals, teachers, supervisors 
of instruction, librarians, and school library media specialists" ; and 
 
Whereas, Despite the vital role school librarians play as teachers and 
collaborators with classroom teachers, the National Center for Education 
Statistics (NCES) classifies school librarians as instructional support staff 
rather than instructional staff; and 
 
Whereas, No Child Left Behind and NCES conflict in their classification of 
school librarians; and 
 
Whereas, Educational researchers stress that policymakers should recognize the 
limitations and negative effects of using only the NCES-defined category of 
"Instruction Expenditures" without including "Instructional Staff Support 
Services" for determining classroom instruction expenditures (See the Standard 
and Poor's report in School Matters entitled "The Issues and Implications of the 
'65 Percent Solution'" 
http://www.schoolmatters.com/pdf/65_paper_schoolmatters.pdf ); and 
 
Whereas, The American Library Association recognizes the link between school 
librarians' classification and the allocation of funding for staffing and for 
library resources; and 
 
Whereas, Since 1985, there has been a decrease in library expenditures per 
student (See Fifty Years of Supporting Children's Learning: A History of Public 
School Libraries and Federal Legislation from 1953 to 2000 at 
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2005/2005311.pdf ), resulting in fewer up-to-date, 
quality resources at a time when students are being encouraged to read more, not 
less; and 
 
Whereas, Failure to classify school librarians as instructional staff and to 
recognize the impact of state-certified school librarians on student 
achievement, especially in reading, may result in a critical loss of funding for 
library positions and resources and a dangerous deterioration of library 
services for our nation's children; now, therefore, be it 
 
Resolved, That the Council of the American Library Association directs the 
American Library Association School Libraries Task Force and the ALA Executive 
Director to communicate through a letter to the Governors of every state to 
demonstrate their commitment to quality education of every child by rejecting 
publicly any policy that would dismantle school libraries and the staffing of 
those libraries by state-certified school library media specialists, and be it 
further 
 
Resolved, That the Council of the American Library Association directs the 
American Library Association School Libraries Task Force and the ALA Executive 
Director to communicate through a letter to all legislators of every state 
considering the "65 Percent Solution" legislation the vital importance of 
including "Instructional Staff Support Services" with "Instruction Expenditures" 
in determining the percentage spent on "classroom instruction," and be it 
further 
 
Resolved, That the Council of the American Library Association communicates 
through a letter from the ALA President the important relationship between staff 
classifications and funding as related to school libraries to: President George 
W. Bush; all members of the United States Congress; U.S. Secretary of Education 
Margaret Spellings; National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Commissioner 
Mark Schneider; NCES Education Finance Task Force Chair Linda Champion; and all 
chief officers of state education agencies and state library agencies, and, be 
it further 
 
Resolved, That the Council of the American Library Association directs the 
Committee on Legislation to work with the ALA Washington Office to request that 
the National Center for Education Statistics issue an interpretation that 
recognizes the teaching role of school librarians and includes librarian 
salaries and library resources as essential additional components to 
"Instruction Expenditures," and for the Committee on Legislation and the ALA 
Washington Office to educate the federal Department of Education and the United 
States Congress about the importance of classifying school librarians as 
instructional staff and the danger of any proposal that would dramatically cut 
resources to our nation's school libraries. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Councilors Sharon Coatney, Carolyn Giambra, M. Ellen Jay, Erlene Bishop Killeen, 
Toni Negro, Sylvia Norton, Barbara Stripling, Nancy Zimmerman 
 
 


--
Diedre Conkling
     
  Lincoln County Library District
  P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR  97365
  Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
  http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
  Work:  diedre at beachbooks.org
  Home:  diedrec at charter.net